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Competition between Zea mays genotypes with different root morphological and physiological traits is dependent on phosphorus forms and supply patterns

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Abstract

Background and aims

Each genotype within species has a particular combination of root morphological and/or physiological traits to adapt to phosphorus-limited environments, which can lead to its unique plant fitness and competitive ability. Yet, how the various phosphorus environments affect the competition between genotypes remains obscure.

Methods

Two maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes (XY335 and HMY, bred in nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor environments, respectively) were grown in monoculture and mixture in phosphorus-limited soil with homogeneous or heterogeneous supply patterns and inorganic (Pinorg) or organic phosphorus (Porg) forms.

Results

In homogeneous Pinorg and Porg environments, XY335 had higher root length and surface area, but lower mycorrhizal colonization and the acid phosphatase and phytase activities in the rhizosphere, than HMY. In heterogeneous phosphorus environments, XY335 had higher root proliferation than HMY. The root trait divergence influenced the competition in mixture: XY335 had a competitive advantage compared to HMY under heterogeneous phosphorus conditions, whereas HMY exhibited a stronger competitive ability in homogeneous phosphorus treatments; these reverse trends were more significant in the Porg than Pinorg treatments.

Conclusions

The results suggested the importance of root physiological traits in homogeneous phosphorus-limited soil environments, whereas P acquisition strategy based on root morphological traits favours heterogeneous phosphorus supply.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31772402, 31330070), National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFE0101100, 2017YFD0200200) and the Innovative Group Grant of the National Science Foundation of China (31421092). ZR is supported by Australian Research Council (DP160104434).

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Author notes

  1. Hongbo Li, Deshan Zhang and Xinxin Wang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People’s Republic of China

    Hongbo Li, Haigang Li & Jianbo Shen

  2. Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences No. 1000, Eco-Environmental Protection Research Institute, Jinqi Road, Shanghai, 201403, China

    Deshan Zhang

  3. Mountain Area Research Institute, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding, 071001, China

    Xinxin Wang

  4. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia

    Zed Rengel

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  1. Hongbo Li
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  2. Deshan Zhang
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  4. Haigang Li
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Correspondence to Jianbo Shen.

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Li, H., Zhang, D., Wang, X. et al. Competition between Zea mays genotypes with different root morphological and physiological traits is dependent on phosphorus forms and supply patterns. Plant Soil 434, 125–137 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3616-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-018-3616-7

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